For the Geek in all of us

Interview with Kathleen Collins, Author of Realm Walker and Giveaway!

Please welcome special guest Kathleen Collins to the virtual offices this morning!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Kathleen Collins] Writer, mother and a wife. Not always in that order. Always looking for my next idea and the best way to implement it.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Realm Walker?

[Kathleen Collins] Juliana Norris is a Realm Walker with the Agency. Essentially, she polices the Altered, or supernatural beings, in her world. She’s content just doing her job until her estranged mate, Thomas Kendrick, returns after a seven-year absence. When a demon starts pursuing her, it threatens everything she holds dear, including Thomas.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Kathleen Collins] The story actually came to me when I was listening to a song while doing edits for another book. A whole scene popped in my head, and from there a book, and then a series. I wanted my main characters to be strong but also vulnerable. I think it makes them more real, easier to connect with. Beyond that, with the secondary characters, I just had fun. Don’t get me wrong, I tried to make them real too, but I had fun figuring out what creatures I could throw in and what their characteristics would be in my world.

[Kathleen Collins] It changes, but for this book I’d have to say Faceless by Red

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Juliana is never without.

[Kathleen Collins] A weapon. It may be a gun, a stake or her sword, but she’s always got something within easy reaching distance.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find on Thomas’ bedroom?

[Kathleen Collins] Adult magazines – he’s not interested in anyone but Juliana. Anyone but family – he guards his privacy jealously. A pet.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Juliana’s greatest regret?

[Kathleen Collins] At the beginning of Realm Walker I think she would say falling in love with Thomas.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Kathleen Collins] Music for sure. I have a playlist for every book or series. And I’m always adding new tunes to my library. Also I am fortunate enough to have a fantastic group of friends that write. They are super supportive and are great to bounce ideas off of and brainstorm with.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Kathleen Collins] Headphones, music and my laptop.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What was your biggest distraction while working on Realm Walker?

[Kathleen Collins] I have two boys, the oldest of which just turned ten. They are always a distraction, as they should be.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Kathleen Collins] Probably Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley. I’m a sucker for her stuff. She really knows how to spin a story.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

[Kathleen Collins] I honestly don’t think I can answer this question. I’ve always read. I don’t remember ever not reading. I remember The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash over and over again so maybe that one.

An estranged mate, a mangled body and a powerful demon who calls her by name…

As a Realm Walker for the Agency, Juliana Norris tracks deadly paranormal quarry using her unique ability to see magical signatures. She excels at her job, but her friends worry about her mysterious habit of dying in the line of duty without staying dead. That’s only the first of her secrets.

Most people don’t know Juliana became the mate of master vampire Thomas Kendrick before he abandoned her seven years ago. Most people don’t know the horrors she endured at the hands of the vampire he left in command. Most people don’t know her true parentage, or why a demon on a world-threatening rampage has taken a personal interest in her…

Even as Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas, who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can’t reconcile her past and learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.

About the Author:

Kathleen Collins has been writing since Kindergarten. And while her ability has drastically improved, her stories are still about monsters and the people who play with them.

The rare instances that she actually finds some spare time, she spends it playing with her two boys. Three if you count her husband.